Copyholder and line indicator



W. F. TURNER COPYHOLDER AND LINE INDICATOR June 16, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1952 m W 0 M a 4 IS I M EC 7 A :M I-

June 16, 1953 w. F. TURNER COPYHOLDER AND LINE INDICATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1952 ATTORNEY6 June 16, 1953 w. F. ,TURNER 2,642,040

I COPYHOLDER AND LINE INDICATOR Filed Dec. 8, 1952 a Sheets-Sheet s 6 Tra -1'1 TIE-.11 B 7 V ii. 7 l 1 Z r I} INENTOR W/ZZ/AM ETUfi/Vffi ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1953 1 My invention relates to new and useful improvements in copy holders and more particularly to the type of copy holder with means at-I tached thereto for indicating lines of typewriting or other written matter, so that the typist may readily read the material line by line and make copies thereof without confusion.

The primaryobject of the invention is to provide a device ofthis character which is provided with a simple and effective means for indicating the lines to be copied and constructed so as to be capable of quick and ready adjustment for varying the line indicator, according to the spacing of the lines on the copy to be reproduced.

A further object of the invention resides' in the provision of a simpleand effective means for locking the line indicating device, so, that lines may be indicate'dcontinuously after the -device is once set for the spacing of the lines.

A further object of the invention resides in the use of a flexible metal tape for supporting the line indicator, aid tape being adapted to be wound on a spring-actuated reel. Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a register or the like which will indicate the spacing between lines to be indicated and to which the line indicator has been set and locked.

A further object resides in providing a device which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very efficient and useful in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view,v my invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, I

Figure l is a side elevation of a copyholder and line indicator, embodying my new invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary'enl'arged side elevation, showing the normal positionof the lever, with the stop member therefor in close relation thereto, V V r I i Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device as illustrated in Figure 3. v

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device with the lever shown depressed and the stop member disposed to a lowered position, allowing for greater line space,

Figure 6 is a horizontal side section through the device, as seen on line 6+6 of Figure 3,

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Figure 7 is a vertical section therethrough, as seen on the line 11 of Figure 4,

Figure 8 is a vertical section through the device, as seen on line 8-8 of Figure 6,

' Figure 9 is a verticalsection, as seen on the line 9-9 of Figure '7,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of member removed, r

Figure 11 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation showing the line indicator or guide in position on the supporting back of the device,

Figure 12 is a horizontal section therethrough, as seen on the line i2l2 of Figure 11, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the relationship of the line indicator or guide and the backboard or support,

Figure 14 is a vertical section, as seen on the line I4I4 of Figure 11, looking in the direction, of the arrows,

I the stop Figure 15 is a similar view, as seen on the line modified form of register or indicator for the positioning of the stop member in the adjustment of the line guide or indicator for movement,

Figure 17 is a vertical" section therethrough, as seen on the line lL-I'I of Figure 16,

Figure 18 is a further modified form of register or indicator for adjustment of the line guide, and

Figure 19 is a vertical section therethrough, as seen ontheline l9-l9-of Figure 18.

A great many typists who are called upon to make copies and many readers, find it necessary; for accuracy and for purposes of avoiding confusion, to have a iineguide or indicator in op eration in connection with the material to be copied or read. Various types of line guides and indicators have been produced and various types of copy holders, with or without line guides, have been ofiered to the public, but 'most of them have proven to be too complicated, too expensive and in many instances ineffective or inefficient in use. My invention contemplates the provision of a copy holder which is comparatively light and inexpensive to manufacture, but sufiiciently r 3 designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which the numeral I designates a base member of weighted material, preferably metal, so that the same may constitute a support for the device and be free from casual upsetting or displacement. The one end of this base member I has mounted thereon, either by being formed integrally, secured thereto or otherwise, the cylindrical housing 2, which may be formed of metal or an other desired material. The outer end of this housing 2 is open and the inner end thereof has the outer face increased in thickness, as shown at 3, to form a disc-like projection thereon, there being threaded into said. end of the housing a shaft 4, the inner threaded end,being enlarged, as shown at 5. The outer end of the shaft 4 is reduced in diameter and also threaded, as shown at S, for a purpose to be hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

Mounted on the shaft 4 for rotation thereon is a reel 1, formed of plastic, hard rubber, metal or any other desired material, and upon which there is wound a metal tape 8, similar to the tape used in mechanics or carpenters tapes, that is,

the same is curved or arcuately bent to provide rigidity when extended. Removably held to the outer face of the reel I by means of the friction pins 9 is a disc It] which is, of slightly greater diameter than the reel so as to form a guide or abutment for the edge of the tape 8 on said reel, as clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. The inner end of the tape 8 is secured to the reel by means of the screws I i, as shown in Figure 8 and said tape extends through a slot I2 in the peripheral wall of the housing 2. Any other desired form of securing means for attaching'the tape to the reel may be utilized.

The peripheral edge of the disc IQ is toothed. or otherwise serrated, as shown at I3 and loosely mounted on the shaft 4 is a lever I4, the free end of which is provided with a finger piece I5. Fulcrumed on the lever I4 is a dog It, the inner or operating end of which is adapted to engage the teeth I3of the disc ID. The dog is normally held in contact with the teeth I 3 by means of a spring member I! co-acting with the dog and the underface of the finger piece I5, as best illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6 of the drawings. The one end of the dog extending outwardly beyond the fulcrumed point is provided with a laterally extending finger piece I8, so that said dog may be released by pressing said finger piece I8 toward the finger piece I of the lever 94.

The housing 2 is provided in the front thereof with an offset or slotted portion I9 through which the lever I4 and its adjunctive parts projects, as best illustrated in Figuresfi and '7 of the drawings. The ends of this cut-out or slotted portions I9 form stops or limits for the movement of the lever I4. The lever is normally retained in its uppermost or raised position, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 7, by means of a wire spring member 20, one end of which is mounted in the inner wall of the housing 2, as shown at 2!, and the other end of which is mounted in an extension of the fulcrum or pivot used for the mounting of the dog I6, said latter connection being designated by the numeral 22. The intermediate portion of the spring 20 is wound about the shaft 4, as shown at 23.

An outer plate of disc-like design is provided for the opened end of the cylindrical housing 2. said plate being indicated by the numeral 24 and said plate is guided in position'by having a central reduced opening therein to receive there,- through the reduced threaded end 6 of the shaft 4, as clearly shown in Figures 6 and 9 of the drawings. The peripheral edge of the plate 24 is provided with a radially extending projection 25 which is adapted to be positioned below and in the path of the lever I4 to act as a stop or abutment for the latter, the purpose for which will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth. A nut 25 of disc-like design formed of plastic or any other desired material is provided, the central portion of which, extending from one face thereof, is threaded to engage the extended and reduced threaded end 5 of the shaft 4. The inner face of this disc-like nut 26 is provided with a central extension, as shown at 21, so that when the nut is turned home the inner projected portion thereof will abut the outer face of the disclike plate 24 and secure the latter in position over the open end of the housing 2. The inner face of said plate 24 has secured thereto in any desired fashion the leaf-spring members 28 which are adapted to abut the outer face of the disc I0, so that when the plate 24 is secured in position. said disc and reel l to which the tape is engaged will be retained in position against casual rotation, although it will be seen that through the medium of lever I4 with the dog I 8 thereon in engagement with the teeth of the disc, said disc, reel and tape may be moved against the frictional action of the springs 28. 7

When the plate 24 is positioned firmly in place by the nut 26, the extension 25 will limit the downward movement of the lever I4. Thus, movement of said lever I4 may be increased or decreased by adjustment of the plate 24 to posi tion the extension 25 further from or nearer the lever I4, as desired. Movement of the plate 24 on its axis may be accomplished by releasing the nut 26 and the plate locked in any adjusted position by turning home said nut.

The base member 2 has secured thereto to project upwardly and rearwardly a supporting plate or board 29. This represents a supporting board or back plate for material to be copied or read and in order to hold the material in place on this plate or board I have provided at the upper end thereof a pivoted clip 39, normally held in effective position by means of the spring 3I. While I have shown a form of spring clip in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be understood that I am not limited to this particular structure, as.

any form of clip may be used without affecting the essential features of the invention herein.

The outer or free end of the tape 8 has removably secured thereto an angle plate 32. Formed on the edge of said plate is a guide strip 33 bent angularly to contact the edge of the supporting plate 29. A forwardly bent portion 34 provides a finger piece for drawing the tape upwardly along the face of the plate 29. Removably secured to the plate 32 to extend laterally across the face of the plate 29 is the line guide or indicator 35. Obviously, the line guide or indicator may be held in position across the face of the plate 29 to indicate lines to be copied from the material held on said plate and said line indicator will be positioned properly through the rigidity of the tape in position on said plate 29. As aforesaid, this tape obtains its rigidity through the curved or arcuate formation thereof.

Assuming that the tape is wound on the reel 1 and the device is set up for operation, it is first necessary to release the dog l6 by pressure on the finger piece I8 thereof so that the operator may grasp the finger piece '34 at the end of the tape and draw the latter upwardly until the line indicator or guide 35 is'positioned beneath the uppermost line of the copy held in position on the plate 29. As each line is copied or read, the lever I4 is pushed downwardly which through the action of the dog l6 causes the disc i and reel 1 to be partially rotated on the shaft 4, thus drawconventional and set by the typewriter manufacturers. To assist in the adjustment of this device to coincide with the spacing of lines on a typewriter, I have'provided a register orindicator.. One form of. indicator or register is illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings wherein there is removably mounted on the periphery of the housing 2 a plate 36 with four points spaced apart marked thereon and designated by the numerals 0, l, 2 and 3. The spaces between these marked points represent the spaces between lines of typing. Formed on the peripheral edge of the plate 24 at a predetermined point thereon is an indicating projection 31 which is adaptedv to co-act with the points marked on the plate 36. Thus, when it is desired to move the line indicator one space, the plate 24 is adjusted on its axis and locked so that the projection 21 registers with the point marked 1 on the plate 36. In this position of the plate 24, the,

lever stop 25 will be below and adjacent the lever H, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Movement of the lever under such conditions will draw the tape downwardly and'positionthe lineguide one space below that to which it had been previously disposed. When the spacing between lines is triple, the adjustment of the plate 24 is made, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, so

that the projection 31 registers then with the numeral Son the plate 36. The movement of the lever I4 under such conditions is greater than the movement of the lever is permitted in the adjustment shown in Figure 3. Obviously, when the lever is moved downwardly, under pressure, it will be returned to its initial position under action of the spring 20 and in the return movement of said lever, the dog I6 is drawn over the teeth l3 of the disc I 0 without movement of the latter.

In Figures 16 and 17, I have shown a slightly modified form of the invention, insofar as the line indicator or register is concerned. In this form, the; housing Zahas mounted on its upper face through the medium of a screw 38 the four strips.39, 40, 4! and 42 of varying lengths, each of which is numbered to designate successive lines. The plate 240: has a bent projection 31a thereon which represents a pointer adapted to be brought in registration with the numbers on the strips, according to the spacing desired.

In Figures 18'and 19, I have shown a'further modified form of register or line indicator adapted for use are essential. is applied to the In this form'of the device, there housing 2b adhesive tape or strip- 43 which has points in spaced relation thereon.

indicated by numbers, as shown in Figure 18. Obviously, this adhesive strip may and replaced by another at any time. The plate 24b has a bent projection 31b formed thereon adapted for, registration with the numbered be removed markings on thetape or strip 43, according to the spacing desired.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved copy holder and line indicator, the method of assembly and the operation thereof will be readily understood, and it will, be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple, inexpensive and eflioient means for carrying out the various objects of the invention.

While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is apparent that various changes in form,

proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention. j

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A copy holder comprising a base, a backing board rising from the base, a housing carried by the base at one side of the lower end of said board and having inner and outer heads, the housingbeing formed with'an upper opening and a vertical slot spaced downwardly therefrom, a shaft extending horizontally through the housing axially therefrom with its outer end portion projecting from the outer end of the housing, a reel rotatably mounted about the shaft within the housing, pins projecting from the outer side of said reel, a

disc fitting against'the' outer side of said reel and formed with openings through which the pins pass, saidfdisc having its marginal edge formed with teeth, springs carried by the outer head of said housing and bearing against the.

outer side face of said disc to frictionally resist turning movement of the outer end of the housing and the disc. relative to each other, a knob screwed upon the protruding outer end of said shaft and when tightened applying pressure to increase frictional binding between the springs and the disc and thereby prevent accidental rotation of the reel, a tape wound about said reel and projectingupwardly through the opening for extension upwardly along the adjoining side edge portion-of the board, a clip carried by the outer end of said tape for straddling the side edge portion of the board and holding the extended tape close against the board, a guide strip extending from said clip transversely across the board, a lever pivoted upon said shaft and passing outwardly through the slot in the housing, a pawl pivoted to said lever and having its inner end passing through the slot and engaging the teeth of said disc, the outer end of said pawl having a, finger piece for tilting the pawl out of engagement with the teeth of the disc, a spring urging said lever upwardly, and an abutment carried by the outer head of said housing and where economy and manufacture moved to adjusted 1 positions to limit downward movement of the lever by loosening said knob and turning the outer head of the housing to adjusted positions.

2. A copy holder comprising a base, a back board rising from the base, a cylindricalhousing carried by the base at one side of the backing board, a shaft extending horizontally in said housing, a closure disc for the outer end of said housing rotatably about the shaft'to adjusted positions, a member screwed upon the outer end portion of said shaft and releasably holding said disc stationary, a reel in said housing rotatably about said shaft and having a flange at one side formed about its marginal edge with teeth, springs carried by said disc and bearing against the confronting side of the reel and having frictionally binding engagement with'the reel when said member is tightened upon the shaft, a tape wound upon said reel and extending upwardly from the housing along a side edge of the backing board, a clip carried by said tape and slidably engaging the adjoining side edge portion of the backing board, a guide strip extending from said strip across the front face of said board transversely thereof, a lever pivotally mounting and projecting forward from said housing, a pawl pivoted to said lever and engaging the teeth of said flange and having a handle portion for tilting the pawl out of engagement with the teeth, and an abutment projecting from the disc at the outer end of said housing disposed under the lever and moved circumferentially from the housing to adjusted positions for stopping downward movement of the lever by turning of the said disc to adjusted positions about the shaft.

3. A copy holder comprising a backing board, a shaft mounted transversely of the backing board adjacent one side of the lower end of the board, a reel rotatably mounted about said shaft, a metal tape wound upon said reel and extensible upwardly therefrom along the adjoining side edge of the backing board, a guide strip carried by the upper free end of said tape and extending across the front face of the board transversely thereof, a lever pivoted upon said shaft and urged upwardly to a raised position, ratchet teeth extending about the periphery of said reel, a pawl pivoted tosaid lever and yieldably held in engagement with the ratchet teeth for turning the disc in step by step movements and winding the tape upon the reel to shift the guide strip downwardly along the backing board in step by step movements when the lever is rocked vertically, said pawl having an outwardly extending handle adapting the pawl to be manually tilted out of engagement with the ratchet teeth and allow the tape to be drawn upwardly and thereby dispose the guide bar in a raised position upon the backing board, a disc rotatable about the shaft and carrying an abutment disposed under the lever to limit downward movement of the lever, springs carried by said disc and a fastener threaded upon said shaft and tightened to frictionally hold the disc in a set position with the abutments spaced downwardly from the lever a predetermined distance and also press the springs into binding engagement with the reel and frictionally resist rotation of the reel about the shaft.

4. A copy holder comprising a backing board, a shaft mounted horizontally at one side of the lower end of said board, a reel rotatable about the shaft and providedwith ratchet teeth about, its periphery, a metal tape wound about said reel and extensible upwardly therefrom along a side edge of the board, a guide strip extending from said tape across the front face of the board transversely thereof, a lever pivoted to said shaft and carrying a pawl yieldably held in engagement with the ratchet teeth and manually tiltable out of engagement therewith to permit Y rotation of the reel about the shaft and unwinding of the tape from the reel, the pawl acting upon'the teeth and imparting step by step rotation to the reel and downward movement to the tape when the lever is oscillated vertically upon the shaft, a disc rotatable about the shaft and carrying springs having engagement with a confronting side of the reel, said disc carrying an abutment located under the lever and a pointer, a scale cooperating with the pointer to indicate the extent to'which the disc has been turned for disposing its abutment a predetermined distance below the lever, and a member screwed upon the shaft and forcing the disc towards the reel to tension the springs and frictionally resist turning movement of the reel and the disc. WILLIAM F. TURNER.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name, Date 832,209 Pratt Oct. 2, 1906 1,245,027 Rhoads Oct. 30, 1917 1,969,916 Van Alstyne Aug. 14, 1934 2,098,020 Wheeler Nov. 2, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 275,178 Italy July 13, 1930 647,101 Germany June 28,- 1937 

